EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT

Effective Time management is the ability to consciously control the time spent on a specific task for optimum performance. To be in control of situations and tasks amid demanding priorities within certain deadline, effective time management is important . Time is better managed when you have the courage to say no to unplanned responsibilities that could destabilize the day. Always set priorities and review activities at the end of the day to assess if deadlines are met. Poor time management leads to stress, ineffectiveness, burnout, crisis management, loss of control, manipulative feelings, sickness, and sadly, untimely death. It is unfortunate that many great minds have died, marriages destroyed, and children untamed due to poor management of time. It was a rewarding session with LBS Global Chief Executive Program, Mr. Henry Onukwuba on time management. He emphasized the need for daily planning of activities to achieving set goals .

Time Wasters and Distractors

Time wasters are the activities or behaviors that come in-between productivity. We all have time wasters but often blindsided by them. It takes courage and intention to spot these distractors, dump or delete them, and be in control of one’s time. These distractors sometimes are things we feel are not important, but we have allowed them to dominate our lives. Too much TV, social media, long calls, chatting are just but a few distractors that could consume someone’s precious time. When we consciously or unconsciously engaged in these activities, it shows some level of irresponsibility and no future ambition. It leads to under-productivities, more haste-less speed, having to manage crises when priorities have been poorly set. When this happens, the low productivity diminishes self-esteem, loss of jobs or business, and ultimately a life of unfulfillment. The recommended solution to dealing with these cancers is to dump them.

Making the Best Out of Your Time

Every individual has 24-hours to accomplish whatever tasks that must be completed in a day. Most successful people in the world today are known for making the best out of their available time. At an age below 50years, why compete with the dead by sleeping 10 hours a day? There is no medal ever given to “the best sleepers”, Besides, you will sleep for more years in the grave. Make the best out of every moment of the day, set priorities, work on your long-term plan, and nurture relationships. A work-life balance can be achieved with discipline and proactiveness in dealing with issues. Surely, there would be crises when you are always working on emergency, last-minute preparation, and deadline-driven activities. With the long-term focus on a project, you are proactive in dealing situations before it becomes a pressing-emergent problem. Time is perishable, you cannot save it.

Time is Irreplaceable

It is worthy to note that time management requires a conscious and continuous effort. Time is irreplaceable, you can never bring it back. Every action requires time planning because time is indispensable. There are many activities that fight to take our time: office, family, religious responsibilities, and personal development programs. It would be difficult to achieve a positive result and life fulfillment if we do not plan our time effectively. Sincerely, we have short time to live and so much to achieve for the generations that would be left behind. It is important we set our priorities every day in the light of our goals and vision. There is no posthumous medal of honor for dying a failure, we can succeed if we set our minds on key-success-factors. Read new books, learn new things, take reasonable risks, and believe you can succeed.

Joshua Adeyemi (EMBA27)